Craft your own day on Koh Kret
Craft your own day
on Koh Kret
Local craftsmanship is what flows left and right across Koh Kret. It may be little in size
but it is large enough to explore it for a day where the art of pottery, beer brewing,
local cuisine and Thai art shape this little piece of authentic heaven.
WHY THIS TOUR?
Amidst the leading waterway from and to Bangkok and further, a small island keeps its head above the proverbial waters as an, almost, open-aired collection of everything authentic Thai. Erected at the time Ayutthaya emerged as the capital along the Chao Phraya River, Koh Kret slowly came into existence and has remained a small community with craftsmanship unique to this man-made island.
A decent 30 kilometres north of Bangkok, visitors will find themselves in a world unfamiliar to the capital’s bustling lifestyle. This weekend escape just touches the very heart and creative soul of Koh Kret with hands-on experiences creating marvellous interactions with its long-term residents.
TRAIL ITINERARY
08:00 - 16:00
Amidst the leading waterway from and to Bangkok and further, a small island keeps its head above the proverbial waters as an, almost, open-aired collection of everything authentic Thai. Erected at the time Ayutthaya emerged as the capital along the Chao Phraya River, Koh Kret slowly came into existence and has remained a small community with craftsmanship unique to this man-made island. A decent 30 kilometres north of Bangkok, visitors will find themselves in a world unfamiliar to the capital’s bustling lifestyle. This weekend escape just touches the very heart and creative soul of Koh Kret with hands-on experiences creating marvellous interactions with its long-term residents.
Guests will be warmly welcomed by a guide for the day before moving in northern direction towards the public pier, connecting the island with the mainland. Located right in the Chao Phraya River, Koh Kret is a tiny island and home to a community of craftsmen who are descendants of the Mon people who are renowned for their distinctive style of pottery.
Only operational during the weekends, it is the best time to wander through the market, a centre of local commerce and known to be quite the treat for mingling with the locals, and see what snack, sweets and local drinks are up for sale. Yet it is the pottery industry that makes Koh Kret an awe-inspiring destination in its own right; watch skilled artisans use ancient techniques to shape and kneed pots, bowls and cups with its traditional, red-black glazed characteristic surface. Your try to make your own are put to the test this morning with a good dose of fun. Before we head out to a riverside restaurant for lunch, a stop at Baan Silp Siam will be included. This artist house is open for the public and has led the way in preserving and presenting various Thai forms of art such as Khon Mask making and handicraft.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant on Koh Kret. Like with many other cultures, a coffee after lunch is a logical step and no better place than on Koh Kret than to brew your own. Guided by a local barista, all it takes are some roasted coffee beans, a small stove and boiling water for a tasty end result. The day ends with a cool, island-crafted beer at Chit beer, one of the better-known bars where the patron of this refreshing beverage eagerly tells his story behind his beer complemented with magnificent views over the river. At around 3 PM, we cross back to the mainland and head back to your hotel in downtown Bangkok.
